Bobby J Brown, The Wire actor, dies in barn fire at Maryland home
bobby j brown, 62, died after a barn blaze at his Maryland residence while attempting to jumpstart a vehicle, the tragedy leaving his family mourning and officials calling the death accidental. The actor's passing also marks the third death of a cast member from the HBO series since December.
Fire began during an attempt to jumpstart a car in Chaptico
Brown had gone into a barn at his St Mary’s county residence in the community of Chaptico at about 10pm on 24 February to try to jumpstart a car. The vehicle reportedly ignited during the attempt, and Brown asked his wife for a fire extinguisher. By the time she returned with the extinguisher the blaze had spread throughout the barn.
The Maryland state fire marshal’s office said the wife burned her hands trying to reach him. Brown’s family also summoned firefighters to the home and told them he was trapped within the fiery barn; firefighters subsequently found him inside and pronounced him dead on the scene.
Medical examiner lists diffuse thermal injury and smoke inhalation; daughter cites smoke inhalation
A representative of the Maryland chief medical examiner’s office said Brown’s death resulted from diffuse thermal injury and smoke inhalation and that the manner of death was determined to be an accident. His daughter said he died on Tuesday of smoke inhalation and that she believed he did not suffer from severe burns, while other statements described the wife’s injuries as severe burns.
Reina Samara Brown’s statement and family plans
posted online, Reina Samara Brown called losing her father “devastating. ” She wrote, in part: “It hurts in a way that sits heavy in my chest and does not move. I would give anything to hear his voice again, to see him one more time, and to have one more conversation. The suddenness of it is overwhelming. One ordinary evening can become the last moment you ever get. ”
She asked for prayers for the family and implored people to “sit with” their parents and “ask the extra question” about how they are doing, adding: “Stay a little longer. Our schedules feel so important until something like this happens and you realize what actually matters. ”
His daughter also said he was a devout Jehovah’s Witness and that a funeral service is being planned. Brown’s agent, Albert Bramante, said he was upset and saddened and described Brown as a good actor and person who was dedicated to the craft and a joy to work with.
Bobby J Brown's acting background and later credits
Brown grew up in Washington DC and was a champion amateur boxer before he began an acting career with appearances on cop shows such as Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He is perhaps best known for his role on the crime drama The Wire, in which he had an eponymous role as an officer in 12 episodes during the series’ run from 2002 to 2008.
More recently, he appeared in the 2022 HBO miniseries We Own This City, which starred Jon Bernthal.
He is the third Wire cast member to die since December; other recent losses named
Brown’s death came weeks after the deaths of other contributors to The Wire. James Ransone, 46, who portrayed Ziggy Sobotka on the show, died by suicide on 19 December. Isiah Whitlock Jr., 71, who portrayed the corrupt politician Clay Davis, died 11 days after Ransone. Other cast members who had died previously include Michael Kenneth Williams, Lance Reddick and Reg E Cathey, who respectively portrayed Omar, Lt. Cedric Daniels and Norman Wilson.
